Vehicle signaling system with manual override



Aug. 16, 1938. H. E. METCALF 2,126,940

VEHICLE SIGNALING SYSTEM WITH MANUAL OVERRIDE Filed Oct. 23, 1937 FiE-l INVEN TOR.

175255127 Z. Mrcn u A TTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VEHICLE SIGNALING SYSTEM WITH MAN- UAL OVERRIDE' Herbert E. Metcalf, Walnut Creek, Calif assignor to E. H. Kuefier, Oakland, Calif.

Application October 23, 1937, Serial No. 170,611

4 Claims. (01. 177-339) My invention relates to vehicle signaling sysrection indicator, Serial No. 127,112, filed. Feb terns, and more particularly to that type of veruary 23, 1937, and in the application of Wagh hicle signaling system where an automatic switch Trautner and Herbert E. Metcalf for United indicating change of direction is attached to the St tes Letters Paten on a V h e signaling 5 steering gear, and a manual switch is mounted d monitoring y serial 170,828, filed within reach of the operator in order to set up October 25, 1937, there have been shown vehicle variations from a predetermined path at the Signaling Sy s utilizing a manual SWitCh Withwill of the o erator, irrespective of the condition in r ach f h op r for h p rp of p of the automatic switch. setting a signal indicating device to show devia- V The primary object of the present invention tion from a predetermined course. In conjunc- '0 is to provide a manual switch and circuit theretion with the ordinary v such as an for which will ensure that signal devices repremobile, t Signaling devices are ped in Tight senting a left and right deviation fr m a course and left units. In their preferred form, both of will never be actuated at the same time. It is of th si a sy above referred to utilize 510011159 50 be understood that in the present, ina switch dlSC frictionally driven from a IJOl'tiOl'l vention signal lamps or lights are merely indif h t r nee r, so h eny ch e om an cative of a visual signal, and that in in arms instant course, irrespective of what that course and similar devices are deemed full equivalents. s, W b indicated- An automatic Switch for Among other objects of my invention are: To accomp s p p a been described gg' provide an automatic and a hand wit h c and claimed in United States Letters Patent on a operating to produce a course signal for avehicle; e e Circuit rotary S c to provide such a signaling system in which Sued December 28, 1937. antagonistic signaling devices cannot be operated e p s invention y utilize either the at the same time; to provide a vehicle signaling wit h of H war as described i th pp i system having an automatic and a hand swit h, tion cited immediately above, or may utilize in an in which the hand switch is able to override the al rn e f rm a mp wi wh p y automatic switch, irrespective of the condition closes a circuit upon dev at from a Straight of the automatic switch; and to provide a, simple ahead course, and the invention willbe described and efficient vehicle signaling system which proas being app both yp of Switches- Vides for all signaling conditions encountered in 130th of the Signaling ys referred in the 30 piloting a vehicle. first two applications cited above utilize a hand My invention possesses numerous other objects w t for presetting a Course When the eliteand features of advantage, some of which, toma ie Sw tch s no in ct on. gether with the foregoing, will be set forth in the However, there is one condition of operation following description of specific apparatus emin the systems referred to where both signaling 35 bodying and utilizing my novel method. It is lamps may be illuminated at the same time, and therefore to be understood that my method is apwhile this condition will occur only seldom in the plicable to other apparatus, and that I do not use of the device, when it does occur it would be limit myself, in any way, to the apparatus of the apt to cause confusion in the mind of the pilot of present application, as I may adopt various other a following vehicle. This condition Occurs when 40 apparatus embodiments, utilizing the method, the automatic switch has closed the circuit, say, within the scope of the appended claims. for example, for a right turn, and the vehicle Referring to the drawing: is proceeding on a right turn which is of such Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a preferred an are that the right turn signal is continuously form of hand switch embodying my invention, illuminated; If, then, the driver of such a car together with a circuit operating in conjunction wishes to turn left without first straightening with an automatic switch attached to the steert for an appreciable tim th ha d s it h in r- T steering gear switch s hown dimay be utilized to set up a circuit illuminating agrammatieany a d in perspective. the left signal lamp. In both of the first cited Fig, 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an applications mentioned above, the hand switch 5 alternate form of switch which may be utilized will be able to do this, although the handle will in conjunction with the hand switch and cirnot hold under these circumstances. Neverthecuit of Fig. 1. less, the operator of the vehicle may maintain In the application of Clarence B. Howard for the left signal lamp illuminated by forcefully United States Letters Patent on a Vehicle diholding the signal switch in a left position, Up 55 J to the time that he straightens out or actually changes his course, however, both signal lamps will be illuminated at the same time, and the value of the signal will be thereby minimized in those particular circumstances.

My present invention therefore embodies a circuit and. a particular form of hand switch which will not allow, under any circumstances, both right and left signaling devices to be operated simultaneously, and thus, even though the automatic switch is closed to illuminate a right signal lamp, under the circumstances described immediately above, movement of the hand switch to close the left signal light circuit will at the same time put out the right signal light, thus providing a compete override of the indication set up by the automatic switch. At the same time, the hand switch of my invention does not otherwise change the operation of the indicating devices.

My invention may be more completely understood by direct reference to the drawing, which shows a particular and preferred circuit and structure for practicing my invention.

In Fig. l the usual automobile steering gear i, fastened to the vehicle frame 2, is provided with the customary quadrant arm 3. An automatic switch shaft 5 is attached to the quadrant nut holding the quadrant arm 3 by quadrant nut fitting 3. In this illustration the switch shaft 5 has been greatly elongated for clarity of description.

Mounted on switch shaft 5 is a contact disc 6 having a conductive segment 7 on the periphery thereof, and when the quadrant arm 3 is in central position, lateral brushes 8 and 9 are positioned to bear against the periphery just outside of the conductive segment 7. A common brush I0 bears against segment I at all times, and segment I is made long enough to remain in contact with common brush if) over the entire arc of travel of the shaft 5 during the steering of the vehicle. 1

Right signaling lead I 4 goes to right signaling lamp [5 and then through a pilot lamp I6. Left lateral brush 8 is connected through lead l'l, through left signaling lamp l8, and thence through pilot light l9. In the ordinary switch set up of this sort, as described in the two first mentioned applications cited above, the circuit is grounded after the current passes through the pilot light. However, in the present case, after passing through the pilot lights lBand l9, lead I! runs to grounding brushes 2% and 2| on the periphery 22 of a hand switch disc 24. This hand switch disc has aconductive bushing 25 bearing on a stationary shaft 26 which is grounded, as indicted by ground symbol 2?.

At another point on the periphery of hand switch disc 24 is a hand switch segment 28, contacted by a common hand switch brush 29 and flanked by hand switch lateral brushes 3!! and 3!. Common brush ill on the automatic switch attached to the steering gear is connected to a release coil 32 and thence to one end of a power source 33, the other end of which is grounded. Common brush 29 on the hand switch is connected directly to the ungrounded end of power source 33 by common brush lead 34.

Also on the periphery of hand switch disc 24 are mounted resistor segments 35 and 35, one on the outside of lateral hand switch brushes 30 and 3! respectively. These two segments 35 and 36 are connected together and grounded to bushing.25 through resistance 31.

In order that the hand switch may center itself in a neutral position, a handle 39 is provided on each side thereof with balanced springs 41], the urge of which tends to keep the hand switch in a neutral position and also tends to return the switch disc to that neutral position when turned. In order that the switch may hold in indicating position right and left of the neutral position, holding notches ll are provided on the periphery of the disc, or in other convenient locations, and a pawl 42, of a shape adapted to enter notches ll on the periphery of the disc, is urged against the periphery of the disc by pawl spring 44. The pawl 42, or a connected member, is preferably of magnetic material, and release coil 32 is so positioned as to pull pawl 42 out of notches 4| whenever current is passing through release coil 32 to allow centering of the disc.

The operation of the device, as far as the automatic switch is concerned, is as follows: When the steering gear I is rotated, disc 6 of the automatic switch will be rotated in synchronism therewith. Either the right or left signaling circuit will be closed, and as an illustration, I will describe the complete circuit of the right signaling circuit, presupposing that the hand switch remains in neutral position.

Current passes from source 33 through release coil 32 and thence to common brush l0, through segment I to right lateral brush 9, thence through right indicating lamp l5, and through right pilot light l5 and its grounding brush 2|, bearing against the periphery of the hand switch. In the left hand circuit the return is to grounding brush 20. When the hand switch is in neutral position, I provide direct grounding segments 45 and #6 on the periphery of the hand switch disc 24, and position brushes 2!] and 2| adjacent one end thereof, so that when the hand switch disc is moved in one direction, the segment moves out from under one brush, but the length of the other segment is such that it is always in contact with the other brush.

However, when the disc is in neutral position, both grounding brushes 20 and 2| are in contact with direct grounding segments 45 and 46. Thus, when the hand switch is not operated, the automatic switch disc 6 will make and break the right and left signal circuits, following the change of course of the vehicle. The only operation which will take place in the hand switch will be the click of the pawl 42 against the core of release coil 32, which, however, does not change the set-up of the hand switch in any way.

In the second condition to be described, we will presuppose that the vehicle is proceeding in a straight-ahead path, and therefore that no circuits are being closed by the automatic switch disc 6. Under these conditions, handle 39 may be moved to the left. When this occurs conductive segment 23 on the hand switch disc 24 completes the contact between common brush 29 on the hand switch and lateral brush 311 on the hand switch, thus lighting left signal lamp i3 and pilot light I 9 from source 33 without, however, the current passing through coil 32.

The pawl 42 will also drop into left hand notch i! and hold the hand switch disc in the left position, as set up. At the same time, however, grounding segment 45 has moved so that grounding brush 2| does not make contact therewith, thus opening up completely the right hand signal circuit, and simultaneously, resistor segment 36 has moved up to make contact with right lateral brush 3i on the hand switch disc. Thus, the left signaling light will remain set up until one of the 1 two circuits controlled by the automatic switch disc 6 is closed.

However, these two circuits are not alike. If

g the left hand circuit is closed through lateral sistance to the resistance of the signal lamp cir cuit. Thus, the same amount of current will flow through release coil 3?. as if the lights were actually illuminated, the pawl will be pulled out of recess ll, and the hand switch will return to neutral position.

I'he instant that the hand switch returns to neutral position, however, the resistor circuit is opened and the lamp circuit is closed again, so that lamp i is instantly illuminated and will remain so as long as the right hand side of the automatic switch remains energized. Thus, in the normal operation of this circuit, right and left signals may be set up while the vehicle is proceeding straight ahead, but the hand switch right and left circuits may be set up by the automatic switch during any turn, and when any circuit is energized by the automatic switch, the hand switch Will return to neutral position automatically. Thus, under ordinary conditions the circuit functions in exactly the same manner as the two circuits described and claimed in the twoapplications first above cited.

Let us then consider the third condition, and that condition is when the vehicle is in, let us say, a right hand turn sufficient to maintain, by means of the automatic switch, right hand signaling lamp l5 and pilot light l6 illuminated; and let us assume that the driver desires, under these circumstances, to set up a left hand signal in order to indicate a sharp left hand turn without first returning to a straight-ahead course.

Inasmuch as the right hand circuit is energized by the automatic switch, obviously current is flowing through release coil 32, and therefore the switch will not hold in contact making position. However, if switch handle 39 be thrown to the left and held there manually, obviously left signaling lamp l8 will be illuminated, but at the same time the current on the right hand side of the circuit will be transferred from right signaling lamp IE to resistor 3?, thus putting out the right hand circuit even though the automatic switch energizes that circuit. Immediately upon mak ing the turn, the hand hold on the manual switch may be let go and the automatic switch will then take up the proper signal for the new condition set up.

Thus, it is impossible, under any circumstances, with the circuit just above described, to illuminate both sides at the same time, and yet I have provided in the place of the signaling device, an equivalent resistor in order that the current through the release coil may be maintained at all proper times, according to the position of the automatic switch disc 6, whether or not the signaling lights are actually illuminated.

In Fig. 2 I have shown a generalized sketch of the Howard switch. This switch differs from the switch described in Fig. 1 in that the switch in Fig. 1 only registers deviation from a straightahead path, whereas the Howard switch shown in Fig. 2 always registers change of' directiornirrespective of the path when the change is made.

Here, the steering gear I, frame 2 and parts 3 and 4 are the same as before, and shaft 5 is likewise attached by the same type of fitting 4. In this case, however, there are two contact discs, the disc 5 being irictionally driven from shaft 5 and restricted to a limited arc of rotation by stop pins 53 cooperating with rotating pin 5! mounted on disc 6. Common segment 1 is mounted on a separate disc, and right and left segments 52 and 53 respectively, are mounted to cooperate with right brush 8 and left brush 9 at the limits of the arc of rotation allowed to the disc 6, and segment brushes 54 extend from segments 52 and 53 to contact common segment I on the solidly driven disc 55. Common brush H) is positioned to make contact with common segment 1 around all of the periphery except a short insulating segment 56, which is so positioned with respect to shaft 5 that it prevents any current through the automatic switch when the steering gear is in a straight-ahead position or in a limited arc on each side thereof, to allow for minor variations in course.

The switch is attached in the circuit as described in conjunction with disc 6 in Fig. 1, and there will be no difference in operation except that upon any change of rotation of shaft 5, the right and left signaling circuits are selectively energized in accordance with the change in direction with respect to the straight-ahead course, except 1 for the fact that in the straight-ahead course no current will pass through the switch.

I have thus provided a complete signaling setup utilizing a particular type of hand switch, which completely prevents both signaling lamps from being illuminated simultaneously, and yet which does not interfere with the operation of the system as a whole at any time.

It will of course be understood that the exact structure of the switches herein described may be changed within the range of equivalents occuring to those skilled in the art, without changing the essence of my invention within the scope of the appended claims.

The following is claimed:

1. In combination, a vehicle signaling system comprising a steering gear switch automatically and selectively energizing a pair of indicator circuits from a power source upon movement of said steering gear, a current consuming indicator in each of said circuits, a hand-switch movable at will of the operator to selectively energize said same circuits, means for holding said handswitch in the selected position, means actuated by current passing through said automatic switch for releasing said hold, means for automatically returning said hand-switch to neutral position upon release of said hold, and means operating in synchronism with said movement of said handswitch for substituting a resistance equivalent to the resistance of the indicator not selected in place thereof.

2. In combination, a vehicle signaling system comprising a steering gear switch automatically and selectively energizing a pair of indicator circuits from a power source upon movement of said steering gear, a current consuming indicator in each of said circuits, a hand-switch movable at will of the operator to selectively energize said same circuits, means for holding said handswitch in the selected position, means actuated by current passing through said automatic switch for releasing said hold, means for automatically returning said hand-switch to neutral position upon release of said hold, and means mounted on said hand-switch for substituting a resistance equivalent to the resistance of the indicator not selected in place thereof.

3. In combination, a vehicle signaling system comprising a steering gear switch automatically and selectively energizing a pair of indicator circuits from a power source upon movement of said steering gear, a current consuming indicator in each of said circuits, a hand-switch movable at will of the operator to selectively energize said same circuits, means for holding said hand-switch in the selected position, means actuated by current passing through said automatic switch for releasing said hold, means for automatically returning said hand-switch to neutral position upon release of said hold, and means operating in synchronism with said movement of said handswitch for opening the indicator circuit not selected and simultaneously substituting a resistance equivalent to the resistance of the indicator not selected in place thereof.

4. In combination, a vehicle signaling system comprising a steering gear switch automatically and selectively energizing a pair of indicator circuits from a power source upon movement of said steering gear, a current consuming indicator in each of said circuits, a handswitch movable at will of the operator to selectively and partially complete said same circuits, means for holding said hand-switch in the selected position, means actuated by current passing through said automatic switch for releasing said hold, means for automatically returning said hand-switch to neutral position upon release of said hold, and additional make and break means mounted for operation by motion of said hand-switch completing both indicator circuits when said hand-switch is in neutral position and for leaving one completed and for opening the other when said hand-switch is moved, and additional contact means mounted for operation by motion of said hand-switch for substituting a resistor having a resistance equivalent to the resistance of the indicator in said open circuit and in place thereof.

HERBERT E. METCALF. 

